Finnish troops in Afghanistan: Wounded soldier got in line of fire

Peacekeepers report on severe shortage of equipment

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A Finnish soldier was wounded some weeks ago in an exchange-of-fire incident, when several people began shooting at a group of Finnish peacekeepers who were performing a night-movement exercise on a firing range in darkness in the Aybak District in Northern Afghanistan.
      Two deputy chiefs of the Finnish peacekeepers, a major and a captain, have drawn up a report on the incident. It indicates that the injury to the Finn was an accident which had many causes, including a chronic shortage of equipment.
     
The chain of events started when the peacekeeper who was guarding the exercise went to check out the voices that had been heard from nearby.
      At that point, some attackers opened fire on the group of Finns. The guard returned the fire, and simultaneously two other Finnish soldiers noticed the shooting and they also opened up. The guard got in the line of fire, and was found wounded after the attackers had left.
      After the first exchange of fire, the attackers returned and opened fire on the Finns again. The exchanges of gunshots lasted for about 15 minutes in all. After the situation had calmed down, it was found that the attackers were local police officers who had mistakenly believed that those shooting in the darkness were some criminals or Afghan insurgents.
     
According to the report, the fact is that the Finnish Defence Forces have not provided the peacekeepers with any Kevlar body armour. Some of the soldiers have bought such body armour themselves, while some have borrowed them from the Swedish contingent in Afghanistan. Further shortages include a lack of vehicles and communication equipment.
      Furthermore, the peacekeepers expressed disapproval of the handling of the accident, as the Finnish Defence Staff ordered the peacekeepers who were involved in the night-movement exercise to hand over their rifles and pistols for ballistic tests.
      "The situation in the area where the Finnish peacekeepers operate is so close to a state of war that situations in which a soldier has to use a weapon are far from impossible. Threatening situations occur every week."
      The peacekeepers behind the report argue that it is not reasonable to think on all occasions whether or not the use of a weapon for self-defence could lead to investigations.
      "Instead of blaming the accident on the soldiers, it would be better to support those involved in the incident and to learn from what happened", the Finnish peacekeepers in Afghanistan argue.
      The wounded soldier is still in Helsinki's Töölö Hospital, and according to his doctor, it is too early to say whether or not his injury is likely to be permanent. However, based on the regulations, the Defence Forces have cancelled his service contract. This will also enable the soldier to receive compensation after the fact if the injury leads to as permanent disability.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish field commander: Peacekeeping becoming too demanding for volunteers (24.10.2006)
  Peacekeeper wounded in Afghanistan may have been shot by other Finns (13.10.2006)
  Finnish peacekeepers apparently came under friendly fire from Afghan police (3.10.2006)
  Finnish peacekeeper injured in firefight in Afghanistan (2.10.2006)

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